A new drive-thru coffee shop coming to The Shoppes of Madison gained initial city backing Thursday for a key component of its business plan: The drive-thru window.

The Madison Planning Commission recommended approval for a change in zoning to a 0.84-acre section of the shopping center across U.S. 72 from Clift Farm. The change will allow the proposed Dutch Bros Coffee outpost to operate a drive-thru, which is prohibited by the current zoning.

It would be the first Madison location for Dutch Bros Coffee, which has three other stores in the Huntsville area.

Commissioners noted the body approved a similar rezoning request by the Panera Bread location at The Shoppes of Madison in 2019. The Dutch Bros Coffee store is not expected to significantly affect parking in the shopping center.

Planning Commission approval advances the plan to the City Council, where approval is expected at a later date.

Commissioners also approved Phase 3 of the Madison Farm development, a McKinley Homes project that will include up to 292 residential lots, along with commercial and park space, on nearly 98 acres south of Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road and west of Morris Drive.

The penultimate phase that gained approval Thursday consists of 77 lots – 22 for townhomes and 55 for detached single-family affairs — on 29.8 acres.